Salvation Army Today

The Salvation Army and Convoy of Hope Help to Meet the Needs of Ukrainian Refugees

On Monday, June 27th, more than 28 palettes of food left a Convoy of Hope warehouse in Missouri and began a journey more than 5,000 miles long. The food, purchased through a $1 million donation from generous Salvation Army World Service Office donors, will relieve some of the significant food insecurity that has come about since the start of the Ukrainian crisis in February.
Convoy of Hope's International Disaster Services team also immediately deployed to Poland in February and began working with Polish, Ukrainian, and Romanian partners to set up a supply chain network to send relief supplies into Ukraine. That network, partnered with The Salvation Army's community investment, was a perfect match.
 
The Salvation Army has continued to house, feed, and provide hygiene supplies and other basic life necessities, as well as medical assistance and spiritual guidance to many of the millions of refugees fleeing Ukraine.
 
Perhaps the biggest area of need continues to be food insecurity across the region as more than 10 million people have been displaced since this crisis began.
 
If you would like to help The Salvation Army's Ukrainian crisis relief efforts, please visit https://salvationarmy.org/
 

Corps Community Center Expansion in Detroit

On Tuesday, June 14th, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit held a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the expansion of its Detroit Conner Creek Corps Community Center, located on the city’s east side.
The expansion will include:
- Construction of new classrooms to support additional educational opportunities,
- Expansion of Conner Creek’s existing senior center, student and youth programs,
- Construction of a gymnasium to provide additional and year-round exercise and recreational programs, and;
- Renovation and expansion of the current food pantry.
The Community Center is one of three Salvation Army centers located in the city of Detroit – and is the only one on the city’s east side. There are a variety of programs and services offered in the community, ranging from weekly food distributions to senior computer labs.
"Your generous donations to fulfill this vision will bless and provide prosperity and opportunity to generations to come," said Commissioner Brad Bailey of The Salvation Army. "And you are helping to put an end to the generational poverty this community has experienced." 
 
To learn more, visit https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/
 
 

Hometown Heroes

Earlier this year, The Salvation Army Indiana Division distributed brochures to inform donors and prospects of Hometown Endowment Funds, a perpetual gift that can be designated for a specific Salvation Army location or program. The brochure’s title, “Be a Hometown Hero” caught the eyes of anonymous long-time donors of The Salvation Army and citizens of Columbus, Indiana. Upon reading the brochure and discovering Bartholomew County Salvation Army programs did not have a Hometown Endowment Fund, the couple decided to make their contribution.
They are thrilled to have had this opportunity to leave a long-lasting legacy in their community and plan to continue to grow the fund by giving their gift annually. They encourage others to do the same:
A Hometown Endowment Fund for your local Salvation Army service provides stability and security to continue life-changing services to neighbors in need. These gifts retain value and earn interest, which is distributed annually. Anyone can contribute to this growing fund, doing the most good in Bartholomew County.
Learn more at centralusa.salvationarmy.org

Salvation Army Offers Only LGBTQ+ Shelter in Southern Nevada

The Salvation Army Southern Nevada wants to remind the public during Pride Month that it currently offers the only Safety Dorm for LGBTQ+ individuals in southern Nevada.
The shelter is free and offers services like laundry, showers, hygiene kits, clothing, and bus passes.
Each of our homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, permanent supportive housing services, and re-entry resources are available to anyone in need, according to their need and our capacity to help regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. 
In addition, almost one-third of transgender people have been rejected from an emergency shelter somewhere. This is why The Salvation Army in Southern Nevada created a safe dorm in Las Vegas to offer safety and shelter to this group, which is statistically more vulnerable to assault.
The shelter is open 24/7 at 35 W. Owens Ave in North Las Vegas. For more information, call 702-701-5347.

Pathway to Housing

As affordable housing in Central Florida has moved the area to the top of the list of least affordable places to live in the U.S., and The Salvation Army seeing more and more clients in need of assistance, they knew something had to be done.
 “Pathway to Housing”, is an extension of The Salvation Army’s existing “Pathway to Hope” nationwide initiate providing high-quality case management and outreach services to families with children desiring to take action to break the cycle of crisis and intergenerational poverty.
Pathway to Housing will get families off the cusp of ruin and give them the financial guidance to see them through managing bills, living within their means, saving money, all while living in housing provided by one of the partner property owners.
The outcome, a family moving into homeownership within a year to 18 months and possessing the knowledge and skills to maintain and grow a healthy financial future. Rent will be paid for one year allowing participants to save what they would have put towards rent as a down payment on their own home.
 
To learn more, visit SALVATIONARMYUSA.ORG

Salvation Army Prepares for SNAP Benefit Changes

Indiana’s COVID-19 public health emergency ended on March 3rd, 2022, making May 31st the final day that SNAP recipients would receive the maximum benefit allowed in accordance to the number of people in their household.
The Salvation Army has already seen an increase in visits to its food pantries and hot food programs over the past several months as inflation has made it harder for families to put food on the table. These higher prices mean that struggling households are bringing home less food each time they go to the store, pushing them to find supplemental food at organizations like The Salvation Army.
With inflation outpacing wage increases, the results have been devastating. The Salvation Army is working with partner organizations, food banks, donors, and community volunteers to meet the increased demand.
In addition to providing food in many of the communities where The Salvation Army serves, the organization is also helping struggling households with financial assistance to help with rent and mortgages, high utility bills, prescription costs, and gas cards to get to work and medical care.
 If you or a loved one is in need, find your local Salvation Army by visiting https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/

Salvation Army Transitional Housing Renovation In New Orleans

The Salvation Army of Greater New Orleans recently launched a $200,000 capital campaign to fully renovate and update 20 apartments in the Center of Hope that give respite to daily challenges for families when they need it most.
Everything from the interior walls to flooring, lighting, plumbing, and cabinetry is being upgraded or replaced to convert what admittedly are somewhat drab apartments due to extensive wear and tear and hurricane damage into more inviting, modern living spaces.
The goal is to lift people up and create an atmosphere that promotes dignity, self-sufficiency, and hope. The Salvation Army wants to do more than just provide a roof over someone’s head- they want Center of Hope guests to experience warmth and comfort, so this experience becomes the beacon of hope needed to bring stability in their lives.
The Salvation Army Center of Hope provides a hot meal and overnight lodging for single adults, families, seniors, and the disabled who have no other option for safe shelter— all in keeping with the mission, “to meet human needs without discrimination.” A variety of social service programs are also available to those in need.

Salvation Army Responds to Tragic Texas Elementary School Shooting

FOLLOWING a fatal mass shooting at the Robb Elementary School, The Salvation Army of San Antonio has been providing much-needed support in the city of Uvalde, Texas.
In the wake of this tragedy, The Salvation Army stepped up to deliver service to the needs of this community. A Salvation Army canteen was set up to serve sandwiches, snacks, coffee and cold drinks to the first responders.
Providing a holistic response which considers the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the affected, The Salvation Army has partnered with the local family resource center, based at the Main Street Civic Center. Three emotional and spiritual care specialists, who are Salvation Army officers based in local settings, will provide direct personal support to families.
‘Everyone has been very supportive in this community. And The Salvation Army is working together to help; providing food, comfort and a listening ear,’ ‘Please keep this community in your thoughts and prayers as they travel the long road to healing.’
 

Nutrition Classes at Harbor Light

For over 75 years, The Salvation Army Harbor Light has provided care in eastern Michigan, focusing on recovery, self-sufficiency, and sustaining a healthier life. Now, with the nutrition classes instructed by Gerrylynn McNeal from Michigan State University, learning healthy lifestyle changes is even more accessible.
McNeal, who has been working with The Salvation Army since 2017, offers nutrition education that motivates Harbor Light residents to make small shifts towards a healthier lifestyle.
“When we think about recovery, making healthier choices is an important part, because you’re making the effort to be healthier and change your life,” she said. “Having a balanced diet with physical activity is only going to improve that.”
In a recent class, McNeal hands out healthy recipes, water, and plastic salad shakers as well as healthy snack options for participants to try, which is one of her favorite parts of the program.
To learn about addiction recovery programs near you, visit https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/rehabilitation/
 

A Ministry of Presence

The Salvation Army has a very important component of emergency disaster services, which is emotional and spiritual. During times of crisis, The Salvation Army utilizes trained personnel to provide comfort to rescue workers and disaster survivors.
Lt. Crystal McFarland, an Oklahoma Corps Officer, was deployed as an Emotional and Spiritual Care Officer. She described the last stop the mobile feeding unit made on Thursday evening while responding to devastating tornadoes in Seminole County, Oklahoma.
A man in a wheelchair, came out as soon as he saw The Salvation Army pull up.  The man and his family had lived in the trailer which was hardly recognizable as a place to live. 
They said, without transportation and with their home in ruins they were just trying to figure out how to get something to eat when they saw the red shield.
While the rest of the crew went to grab hot meals for everyone, Lt. Crystal McFarland ministered to the family.  The mobile unit was able to provide a hot meal while providing hope and love. Not only was the family desperate for a meal and water, but they also needed to know they were cared for.